14
August 2014
Past Event
Which Poses the Bigger Threat to U.S. National Security—Iran or Non-State Sunni Extremism?

Which Poses the Bigger Threat to U.S. National Security—Iran or Non-State Sunni Extremism?

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
August 14, 2014
14
August 2014
Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Speakers:
Lee Smith

Former Senior Fellow

michael_doran
Michael Doran

Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East

Hillel Fradkin

Senior Fellow and Director, Center on Islam, Democracy, and the Future of the Muslim World

Default Expert Image
Brian Katulis

With the belief that Iran’s nuclear weapons program constituted the greatest threat to U.S. interests in the Middle East, Barack Obama entered the White House hoping to achieve a historic reconciliation with the Islamic Republic. But the administration’s current policies throughout the region suggest that the White House no longer sees Iran as the key problem. Rather, it views the clerical regime as a potential partner, particularly when it comes to combating Sunni extremists like al Qaeda and ISIS. As Obama has explained in several interviews, the Iranian regime, while problematic, represents a real nation-state and rational actor that looks out for its interests and responds to incentives—which is not the case for non-state actors.

The White House has re-prioritized American strategy in the Middle East. Its policies in Syria and Iraq demonstrate that it now sees groups like al Qaeda and ISIS—rather than Iran—as the key threat to American interests. The question is whether the Obama administration has got it right. And if it’s wrong, what are the likely consequences?

On August 14th, Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Lee Smith moderated an expert panel featuring Michael Doran, Hillel Fradkin, and Brian Katulis to discuss whether non-state Sunni extremism or Iran constitutes the major strategic threat to American interests in the region.

Related Events
10
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Deepening Russia-China Partnership
Featured Speakers:
John Lough
Sergey Aleksashenko
Moderator:
Getty Images
10
October 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Deepening Russia-China Partnership

Join Hudson Institute for a panel discussion on how the United States and its allies can combat the rise of this authoritarian alliance.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
John Lough
Sergey Aleksashenko
Moderator:
14
October 2025
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Czech-US Defense and Security Forum
Featured Speakers:
Zbyněk Pavlačík
Ambassador Tomáš Pojar
Kristýna Helm
Radka Konderlová
Lt. Gen. Leonard J. Kosinski, USAF (Ret.)
Mislav Tolusic
Jan Jireš, PhD
Marek Polčák
Katie Wheelbarger
Brandon Tseng
Michael Madsen
Lorenz Meier
Vice Admiral Jeffrey Hughes
Sean Cantrell
Jerry Javornicky
Václav Kobera
Amb. Miloslav Stašek
Moderators:
Jan Havránek
Webpage Graphic
14
October 2025
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Czech-US Defense and Security Forum

This forum will bring together American and Czech officials, defense experts, and industry leaders in Washington, DC.

Webpage Graphic
Featured Speakers:
Zbyněk Pavlačík
Ambassador Tomáš Pojar
Kristýna Helm
Radka Konderlová
Lt. Gen. Leonard J. Kosinski, USAF (Ret.)
Mislav Tolusic
Jan Jireš, PhD
Marek Polčák
Katie Wheelbarger
Brandon Tseng
Michael Madsen
Lorenz Meier
Vice Admiral Jeffrey Hughes
Sean Cantrell
Jerry Javornicky
Václav Kobera
Amb. Miloslav Stašek
Moderators:
Jan Havránek
09
October 2025
Past Event
The View from Bucharest with Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Oana-Silvia Țoiu
Getty Images
09
October 2025
Past Event
The View from Bucharest with Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu

With Peter Rough, Foreign Minister Țoiu will discuss Black Sea security, the war in Ukraine, Russia’s hybrid attacks, and Romania-US relations.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
H.E. Oana-Silvia Țoiu
09
October 2025
Past Event
How Promoting Freedom in North Korea Makes America Safer and Stronger
Featured Speakers:
Representative Young Kim (R-CA)
Greg Scarlatoiu
Sean Chung
Rose Jang
Hannah Oh
Moderator:
Getty Images
09
October 2025
Past Event
How Promoting Freedom in North Korea Makes America Safer and Stronger

Join Hudson Institute for a discussion on the connection between human rights in North Korea and US national security.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Representative Young Kim (R-CA)
Greg Scarlatoiu
Sean Chung
Rose Jang
Hannah Oh
Moderator: